ETV Bharat / state

J&K : First batch of 300 Hajj pilgrims reach Srinagar

By

Published : Aug 19, 2019, 11:28 PM IST

Restrictions were tightened in some parts of Srinagar on Sunday following incidents of violence a day earlier, even as the first batch of Haj pilgrims returned to Kashmir from Saudi Arabia on Sunday. Restrictions were imposed in Jammu and Kashmir after the Centre scrapped special status of the state.

J&K : First batch of 300 Hajj pilgrims reach Srinagar

First Batch of 304 Hajj Pilgrims reach Srinagar

Srinagar: The first batch of 300 pilgrims landed at Srinagar airport from Saudi Arabia on Monday morning amid elaborate arrangements made by the authorities for the smooth movement of pilgrims to their respective destinations.

The pilgrims were received by Advisor to Governor Farooq Khan, Divisional Commissioner Kashmir Baseer Khan and Inspector General (IG) of Kashmir Police SP Pani.

Hilal Ahmed said, "I came here to pick up my sister and her husband. They are among the first batch of pilgrims who are coming from Saudi Arabia after performing the Hajj. As passes were issued to me, I didn't face difficulty on my way to Srinagar."

J&K : First Batch of 300 Hajj Pilgrims reach Srinagar

"Though some roads were blocked, the journey to Srinagar was quite fine. It is a matter of joy for us that the pilgrims are coming from a sacred place and will be reunited with their family soon," he added.

Expressing happiness, Yasir said, "My parents are coming. The arrival time of their flight was around 8.30 am and that's why I left my home in Anantnag at 6.45 am in the morning. Passes were issued to us and that's why we didn't have to stop anywhere in the middle of our journey."

Earlier on Saturday, Srinagar Divisional Commissioner, Baseer Khan said the administration was prepared for the return of pilgrims from Hajj.

"Relatives who were supposed to go to the airport to receive the Hajis have been provided passes three days back through concerned Deputy Commissioners," said Khan.

He expressed hope that the return will be smooth and that they will be able to reach their homes easily.

Restrictions were imposed in Jammu and Kashmir after the Centre scrapped special status of the state and bifurcated it into two Union Territories -- Jammu and Kashmir, and Ladakh on August 5.

However, on Saturday, 2G mobile internet services were restored in Jammu, Reasi, Samba, Kanthua and Udhampur districts of the region.

Also read:Kashmir: Primary schools re-open, but hardly any students seen

Srinagar: The first batch of 300 pilgrims landed at Srinagar airport from Saudi Arabia on Monday morning amid elaborate arrangements made by the authorities for the smooth movement of pilgrims to their respective destinations.

The pilgrims were received by Advisor to Governor Farooq Khan, Divisional Commissioner Kashmir Baseer Khan and Inspector General (IG) of Kashmir Police SP Pani.

Hilal Ahmed said, "I came here to pick up my sister and her husband. They are among the first batch of pilgrims who are coming from Saudi Arabia after performing the Hajj. As passes were issued to me, I didn't face difficulty on my way to Srinagar."

J&K : First Batch of 300 Hajj Pilgrims reach Srinagar

"Though some roads were blocked, the journey to Srinagar was quite fine. It is a matter of joy for us that the pilgrims are coming from a sacred place and will be reunited with their family soon," he added.

Expressing happiness, Yasir said, "My parents are coming. The arrival time of their flight was around 8.30 am and that's why I left my home in Anantnag at 6.45 am in the morning. Passes were issued to us and that's why we didn't have to stop anywhere in the middle of our journey."

Earlier on Saturday, Srinagar Divisional Commissioner, Baseer Khan said the administration was prepared for the return of pilgrims from Hajj.

"Relatives who were supposed to go to the airport to receive the Hajis have been provided passes three days back through concerned Deputy Commissioners," said Khan.

He expressed hope that the return will be smooth and that they will be able to reach their homes easily.

Restrictions were imposed in Jammu and Kashmir after the Centre scrapped special status of the state and bifurcated it into two Union Territories -- Jammu and Kashmir, and Ladakh on August 5.

However, on Saturday, 2G mobile internet services were restored in Jammu, Reasi, Samba, Kanthua and Udhampur districts of the region.

Also read:Kashmir: Primary schools re-open, but hardly any students seen

RESTRICTION SUMMARY: AP CLIENTS ONLY
SHOTLIST:
ASSOCIATED PRESS - AP CLIENTS ONLY
Srinagar - 18 August 2019
1. Various of Kashmiris leaving airport with luggage
2. Men greeting each other
3. Various of people standing with luggage
4. SOUNDBITE (Kashmiri) Ali Muhammad, Kashmiri returning from Hajj pilgrimage:
"We were very worried for our loved ones. We heard that the situation (in Kashmir) was tense. Neither us, nor our relatives here, knew if the other was dead or alive. We were very worried."
5. Various of people leaving airport
STORYLINE:
Kashmiris returning from Hajj were greeted by their loved ones at Srinagar airport on Sunday after having been completely cut off from them during unrest in the Indian-administered region.
Some said they had been extremely worried throughout the two-week security crackdown and news blackout.
"We heard that the situation (in Kashmir) was tense. Neither us, nor our relatives here, knew if the other was dead or alive," said Ali Muhammad, a Kashmiri returning from the Hajj pilgrimage.
The government had imposed the lockdown to avoid a violent reaction to its decision on August 5 to downgrade the autonomy of the region.
Starting Friday night the government began restoring telephone lines and easing the security lockdown, but restrictions continued in many parts of the valley.
Soldiers were seen in Srinagar on Sunday still manning many near-deserted streets, and limiting movement of the few pedestrians who came out of their homes.
===========================================================
Clients are reminded:
(i) to check the terms of their licence agreements for use of content outside news programming and that further advice and assistance can be obtained from the AP Archive on: Tel +44 (0) 20 7482 7482 Email: info@aparchive.com
(ii) they should check with the applicable collecting society in their Territory regarding the clearance of any sound recording or performance included within the AP Television News service
(iii) they have editorial responsibility for the use of all and any content included within the AP Television News service and for libel, privacy, compliance and third party rights applicable to their Territory.

TAGGED:

Hajj Pilgrims reach Srinagar

Situation in Kashmir Valley

Copyright © 2024 Ushodaya Enterprises Pvt. Ltd., All Rights Reserved.